Cervical Spine Magnetic Resonance Imaging Findings in Hirayama Disease.

Background Hirayama disease is an uncommon type of cervical cord myelopathy seen typically in young males due to trauma from flexion movements. This study aims to assess the clinical presentations and classify the extent of various cervical spine MRI findings for the local population. Methodology A retrospective study of 13 patients diagnosed with Hirayama disease on cervical MRI was performed from January 2017 to December 2022 at Dr. D. Y. Patil Medical College, Hospital and Research Center, Pune. Results Of the 13 patients, 12 (92%) were male, and one (8%) was female. Nine (69%) patients were in the 16-25-year age group, two (15%) were in the 26-35-year age group, and one (8%) each was in the 6-15-year and 66-75-year age groups. Upper limb weakness was the most common clinical symptom seen in 12 (92%) patients, followed by distal muscle atrophy in seven (54%) patients. Tremors in the hand were a rare symptom seen in two patients. Claw hand was an atypical symptom seen in one patient. On cervical MRI, all patients showed excessive forward shifting of the posterior dura on flexion, with resultant cord compression due to tightness of the dural sac. One (8%) patient had no signs of myelopathy, while 12 (92%) patients had developed chronic myelomalacia and showed abnormal cord hyperintensity and atrophy in the lower cervical cord. All 13 (100%) patients showed increased laminodural space on flexion; the mean thickness was 4.08 mm, with the minimum and maximum thickness being 2.4 mm and 6.7 mm, respectively. Classifying by length of the anterior bulging dura, one (8%) patient showed involvement of less than two vertebral body segments, eight (62%) patients showed involvement of two to four vertebral body segments, and four (30%) patients showed involvement of more than four vertebral body segments. Crescent-shaped post-contrast enhancement on flexion was seen in all eight (100%) patients who underwent a contrast study. Prominent epidural flow voids on flexion were seen in six (46%) patients. Conclusions Hirayama disease is an uncommon type of cervical myelopathy seen typically in juvenile males. The occult onset of distal upper limb weakness and atrophy during puberty, typical MRI features of lower cervical cord atrophy, and the presence of a crescent-shaped enhancing mass in the posterior epidural space are pathognomonic of the condition. A few atypical cases can also occur. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial to avoiding serious dysfunction.

Rare Occurrence of Double Outlet Right Ventricle and Cardiomyopathy on Dynamic Contrast-Enhanced Cardiac MRI: A Case Report.

We present a case of a middle-aged man with recent onset of vague chest pain. On dynamic contrast-enhanced cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging, he was found to have a double outlet right ventricle (DORV) and restrictive/infiltrative cardiomyopathy. These two conditions are not known associations and could be two entirely different entities.

MRI Evaluation of Soft Tissue Tumors and Tumor-Like Lesions of Extremities.

AIM: The current study aimed to evaluate the use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the diagnosis of extremity soft tissue tumors and tumor-like abnormalities. METHODS: This prospective observational study of 71 patients with soft tissue lesions of extremities was conducted at a tertiary hospital and teaching center in western India after obtaining Institutional Ethical Committee (IEC) clearance. All patients underwent an MRI of the region of interest on Siemens Magnetom Vida 3 Tesla MRI (Erlangen, Germany). MRI findings and diagnosis were correlated clinically and with histopathological examination. RESULTS: A total of 71 patients (49 males and 22 females) in the age group of six to 90 years were included in our study. Out of 44 patients with soft tissue tumors, the most common lesion was neurofibroma (18.1%), followed by lipoma and undifferentiated sarcoma (9.1% each). Liposarcoma, myxoid liposarcoma, giant cell tumor of the tendon, pigmented villonodular synovitis, and schwannoma were seen in 4.5% of patients each. The soft tissue tumor-like lesions were seen in 27 (38%) patients, the most common being slow-flow vascular malformation, which was seen in 9/27 (33%) patients. The second most common pathology was actinomycosis, seen in four (14.8%) patients. Out of 44 patients with soft tissue tumors, 27 (61.4%) were benign and 17 (38.6%) were malignant. Tumor size of more than 5 cm was more commonly seen in malignant tumors (70.5%) than benign tumors (40.7%). The smooth margin was more common in benign tumors (70.3), while most malignant tumors (70.5%) had irregular or lobulated margins. Heterogenous enhancement was more common in malignant tumors (82.3%) than benign tumors (62.9). The odds of a benign histopathological diagnosis for a tumor suspected to be benign by MRI were 93.75 times higher than the odds of a benign histopathological diagnosis for a tumor suspected to be malignant by MRI. CONCLUSION: MRI is extremely useful in the evaluation of different soft tissue masses and helps in evaluating the characteristics of the masses, their extent and relationship to surrounding structures, and bone destruction, multiplicity, composition, and enhancement pattern. The systematic imaging analysis approach helps to differentiate a benign lesion from a malignant lesion and also in differentiating various soft tissue tumor mimics.

Neuroimaging Spectrum of Intracranial Lipomas.

BACKGROUND: Intracranial lipomas are rare congenital malformations at characteristic sites. Though largely asymptomatic, some cause significant morbidity. We are studying this for the local population.  Objectives: The purpose of this article is to analyze the spectrum of intracranial lipomas, determine their distribution at characteristic locations, and assess their associations.  Method: A retrospective study of 21 patients diagnosed with intracranial lipomas detected on CT and MRI performed between September 2017 and May 2022 at Dr. D.Y. Patil Medical College, Hospital & Research Center, Pune. RESULTS: Amongst the 21 patients with intracranial lipomas, the most common location was the pericallosal region seen in 11 patients (n = 11, 52.3%), of which nine were curvilinear type (n = 9), more common than tubular nodular type (n = 2). Other locations (n = 10, 47.7%) were found to be; quadrigeminal cistern in six patients (28.5%), cranial diploic space in two patients (9.5%), one each in interhemispheric falx (4.8%), and cribriform plate (4.8%). Associated anomalies were observed in three patients, which were fronto-ethmoidal encephalocele (n = 1), partial agenesis of the corpus callosum (n = 2), extension with a frontal subcutaneous lipoma (n = 1), and bilateral intraventricular extension (n = 1). Presenting symptoms were headache and dizziness (38.1%), seizures (19%), swelling on the forehead (9.5%), and other non-specific clinical symptoms (33.3%). CONCLUSION: Intracranial lipomas are rare congenital lesions that are usually asymptomatic and discovered incidentally. However, lipomas at interhemispheric locations can cause seizure disorders and some present with headaches and dizziness. Few have associations like communication with extracranial swellings and corpus callosum agenesis.

Correlation Between CT Severity Scoring and Diabetes Mellitus in Patients With COVID-19 Infection.

Background and objective Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), was first identified in Wuhan, China in December 2019. Since then, It has spread across multiple countries and was declared a pandemic by WHO in March 2020. Patients with underlying diabetes mellitus (DM) are deemed at-risk for developing severe COVID-19 infection. In light of this, we aimed to evaluate the correlation between DM and chest CT severity scores (CTSS) in COVID-19 patients. Methods This was a hospital-based descriptive, analytical retrospective study conducted at our tertiary care hospital. A quantitative severity score was calculated among 220 patients with COVID-19 infection based on the degree of lung lobe involvement on CT chest scans. Based on CTSS, the patients were classified into groups of mild, moderate, and severe lung involvement. The association between DM and CTSS was evaluated using the chi-square test. Results The severity of lung involvement was higher among COVID-19 patients with a co-diagnosis of DM (29.3%) compared to those without DM (11.7%). This association of severe lung involvement with DM was statistically significant (p=0.002). Conclusion Based on our findings, diabetic patients are at an increased risk of developing the severe form of COVID-19 with a higher CT lung involvement score compared to non-diabetic patients.

Rhino-orbito-cerebral mucormycosis: recovery against the odds.

A 22-year-old woman presented with diabetic ketoacidosis, acute right eye blindness and complete ophthalmoplegia. Despite early suspicion and treatment for rhino-orbito-cerebral mucormycosis, her extensive spread of infection led to right internal carotid artery occlusion and cavernous sinus thrombosis, right-sided cerebral watershed infarctions and large abscesses in her right cerebellum, temporal lobe and pons. She underwent surgical removal of her right eye, paranasal sinuses, maxilla and palate, suboccipital craniectomy and shunting for hydrocephalus. Despite the grave prognosis, she has gradually improved and has remained on antifungal treatment for the 18 months since presentation. We discuss the factors that may have influenced her recovery. The case highlights the aggressive nature of rhino-orbito-cerebral mucormycosis, the need for multiple surgeries and the ethical issues in managing such patients.

Nocturnal variant of benign myoclonic epilepsy of infancy: a case series.

Myoclonus is a brief, rapid, involuntary muscle jerk originating in the central nervous system that can be physiological or a symptom of disease. We report a group of five children with excessive myoclonic jerks, only during sleep, and abnormal EEG during the events. Although only one third of the events had EEG epileptiform correlate, the presence of myoclonus without epileptiform EEG correlate has been described in patients with benign myoclonic epilepsy of infancy. We hypothesize that these findings may represent a variant of benign myoclonic epilepsy of infancy.

Importance of technical preparation of intraarterial shunts to prevent iatrogenic arterial injury during urgent procedures.

Although intraarterial shunting during carotid endarterectomy is a well-defined practice, its use remains controversial. Complication rates associated with shunt placement remain low, but may be underreported. When complications secondary to routine intraarterial shunting occur, they can cause significant morbidity or even mortality, emphasizing the importance of meticulous technique to prevent adverse outcomes. We report a case of internal carotid artery dissection and pseuedoaneurysm due to the technical failure of a safety device of an intraarterial shunt used during carotid endarterectomy.